There are many ways in which to react following violence or sexual assault. Some people will need professional help. The provision of mental healthcare varies from municipality to municipality. You can seek out or contact some services independently, while others require you to have a referral.
Services that do not require a referral
Services that require a referral
Your GP or dentist can assess in consultation with you whether you require specialised help. They can refer you on to a psychologist or psychiatrist if this is needed. Ask the person who refers you to request a therapist with knowledge of violence and traumas.
District psychiatric outpatient clinics and psychiatrists/psychologists with operating contracts
District psychiatric outpatient clinics are available nationwide and are part of the specialist healthcare service. Private psychologists and psychiatrists with operating contracts (contract specialists) are also part of the specialist healthcare service. In order to receive treatment from a district psychiatric outpatient clinic or a contract specialist, you must have a referral. If you need emergency mental healthcare, you can also contact a district psychiatric outpatient clinic directly. Treatment is offered in the form of stabilisation course and individual counselling.
Ask the person who refers you to request a therapist with knowledge of violence and traumas
SANKS is a separate service offering mental healthcare to the Sami population
Watch a video about what you will experience when visiting a district psychiatric outpatient clinic:
The staff have a duty of confidentiality and are therefore not allowed to share any information about you with others unless you consent to this or if there is an immediate risk of someone being harmed. An interpreter can be provided when necessary. When visiting a district psychiatric outpatient clinic or contract specialist, you must pay the ordinary user fee up to the healthcare exemption card limit. Which district psychiatric outpatient clinic you are affiliated with depends on where you live and what your local hospital is. Your GP can offer guidance.
Patient pathway and waiting times
When you are referred to a district psychiatric outpatient clinic, this initiates what is known as a patient pathway. The patient pathway ensures that you are offered holistic and predictable treatment without any unnecessary waiting time. The point of departure for this is that you are the expert when it comes to your own life. This means you should have more influence over your treatment.
Read more about the patient pathway at helsenorge.no
The waiting time for treatment at a district psychiatric outpatient clinic varies depending on where you are in the country. If your local district psychiatric outpatient clinic cannot offer you a good enough service, there is an option for you to be treated at another district psychiatric outpatient clinic. You can contact the information service “Select place of treatment” for questions regarding services and waiting times on the following telephone number: 800 43 573 (800 HELSE).
Check the average waiting time at your local clinic (Norwegian only)
Lists of where you can get help
List of whom you can contact if you need help or someone to talk to on the website of helsenorge.no
Each health enterprise offers lists of psychologists and psychiatrists in receipt of operating subsidies (contract specialists):
- contract specialists in the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority
- contract specialists in the Western Norway Regional Health Authority
- contract specialists in the Central Norway Regional Health Authority
- contract specialists in the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority
Find a psychologist on the Norwegian Psychological Association’s website.
The text was written by the editorial board of dinutvei.no.
Sources:
helsenorge.no
Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health (NAPHA)
The Norwegian Electronic Health Library
The Norwegian Directorate of Health
Various municipalities’ websites